HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0377.054 2024-2026P/ncENRrt
Kona=Kohala
� CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
COUNTY CLERK
July 222025 COUNTY OF HM0.1'I
Y , Time REC8IZ(JfL/_
12:po
Re: Resolution No. 234-35 Date JUL 2 2 2025
Dear Chair Villegas, Vice Chair Kagiwada, and the Members of the Policy Committee
on Environmental and Natural Resource Management,
Founded in 1968, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to enhancing
the quality of life for our community through a strong, sustainable economy on Hawai'i
Island. Representing 460 member businesses and organizations, our mission is to
provide leadership and advocacy for a successful business environment in West
Hawaii.
We respectfully submit the following comments regarding the U.S. Army Garrison
Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA).
The Kona-Kohala Chamber supports the U.S. military's training mission and land
retention at PTA.
PTA is a critical asset for national security. Year-round training at PTA is essential for
maintaining operational readiness and preparing our service members for the complex
challenges they face across the Indo-Pacific. Its unique terrain, scale, and location
make it an irreplaceable asset for joint military operations and mission -critical
coordination.
Beyond its strategic role, PTA also provides crucial connections to our Hawaii Island
community by bolstering the local economy through jobs and utilizing local businesses
for a variety of support services.
Additionally, PTA firefighters serve as first responders in a remote area of the island,
working in partnership with local firefighters to ensure the community's safety. PTA Fire
and Emergency routinely responds to requests for mutual aid emergencies, and during
a recent six-month period, they responded to 37 such requests.
In May 2025, PTA received the 2024 Army Community Partnership Award, recognizing
its collaboration with the Hawai'i Fire Department (HFD) to improve readiness,
adaptability, and quality of life for military and community members. The honor
highlights the collaboration with HFD, resulting in approximately 13,000 hours of training
at PTA by firefighters and recruits, including those from across all islands, in the last five
years.
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Comm.
75-5737 Kuakini Highway, Suite 208 1 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Ref, T®;ri Rib
_
www.kona-kohala.com 1 (808) 329 1758 1 info@kona-kchala.com of. DwfreJUL' 2 2 2025
0� Kona=Kohala
� CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Lastly, our ��hab�r,.has toured PTA on multiple occasions, and we recognize the
importance of tie State-ownedgparcel, which is essential to the training mission and
includ e�bstantial infrastructure investments. Although the State of Hawaii Board of
Land and. Natural Resources-did"not approve the Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the Army Training Land Retention at Pohakuloa Training Area on May 9, 2025, we
support a solution that promotes the continued use of this land for PTA.
We appreciate the opportunity to share our position and respectfully request your
thoughtful consideration of these points as you deliberate Resolution No. 234-35.
Sincerely,
i
Wendy J. Laros, President and CEO
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
75-5737 Kuakini Highway, Suite 208 1 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
www.kona-kohala.com 1 (808) 329-1758 1 info@kona-kohala.com